Welcome to the Nova Scotia ITF Taekwon-Do Association

We are affiliated with the Canadian Taekwon-Do Federation International and the International Taekwon-Do Federation and represent the registered training centers in Nova Scotia.

What is Taekwon-Do?

"To put it simply Taekwon-Do is a version of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of self-defence. It is more than just that, however. It is the scientific use of the body in the method of self-defence; a body that has gained the ultimate use of its facilities through intensive physical and mental training.

It is a martial art that has no equal in either power or technique. Though it is a martial art, its discipline, technique and mental training are the mortar for building a strong sense of justice, fortitude, humility and resolve. It is this mental conditioning that separates the true practitioner from the sensationalist, content with mastering only the combative aspects of the art.

This is one of the reasons that Taekwon-Do is called an art of self-defense. It also implies a way of thinking and life, particularly in instilling a concept and spirit of strict self-imposed discipline and an ideal of noble moral rearmament.

Translated literally " Tae " stands for jumping or flying, to kick or smash with the foot. " Kwon " denotes the fist-chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. " Do " means an art or way - the right way built and paved by the saints and sages in the past.

Thus taken collectively " Taekwon-Do " indicates the mental training and the techniques of unarmed combat for self-defence as well as health, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks and dodges with bare hands and feet to the rapid destruction of the moving opponent or opponents.

Taekwon-Do definitely enables the weak to possess the ability together with confidence to defend him or herself and defeat the opponent as well. Of course, wrongly applied, Taekwon-Do can result in lethal consequences. Therefore mental training must always be stressed to prevent the student from misusing it.

As for the weak, they will undoubtedly find Taekwon-Do an invaluable asset. When one is informed of the many instances where vulnerable individuals effectively protected themselves, they may sound unbelievable. But really, they have been able to do so because they were well versed in the art of self-defence.

Regular training is essential to keep oneself in top form and physical condition. In training, all the muscles of the human body will be used. From the use of one's muscles, it will be possible to harness all available power generated by every muscular contraction. For students who have been in constant practice or has become experts themselves, they spend no time thinking, as such an action comes automatically to them. Their actions, in short, have become conditioned reflexes." - General Choi From "Taekwon-Do" (The Korean Art of Self Defense) also known as The Condensed Encyclopedia of Taekwon-do by General Choi Hong Hi.